Toy aircraft

ABSTRACT

A toy glider aircraft is assembled using a recycled beverage container. Portions of a box containing a plurality of the beverage containers can include airplane parts such as wings and a vertical stabilizer. Other parts for the toy glider can be fit to the glider using the beverage container neck threads. The bottle can be formed to resemble an aircraft fuselage.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/467,916 filed May 5, 2003.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toys and in particular to toy aircraft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide toy airplanes or toy gliders that comprise a lightweight balsa wood frame and polymer, lightweight wings. Such toy gliders are typically propelled into flight by a thrust from movement of a person's arm. It is also known to provide such gliders with a rubber band driven propeller for driving the gliders through the air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a glider or toy aircraft that utilizes as a fuselage a recycled beverage container. Particularly, a plastic beverage container, such as a soft drink plastic bottle, is used. Cardboard, balsa wood, polymer, or other material wings and a vertical stabilizer are attached to the beverage container to configure the beverage container like an aircraft. The beverage container, having a thin wall and being lightweight has surprising aerodynamic capabilities when wings and vertical stabilizer are added.

As a further refinement of the invention, the plastic container can carry a rubber band driven propeller assembly, or other type motive drive, which can be quickly mounted to the container using the threaded neck of the container. As an alternate to a rubber band drive, a fluid motor drive or a battery motor drive can be fit into the container using the threaded neck of the container.

As a further refinement of the aircraft, a nose cone can be screwed onto the threaded neck of the container to further simulate an airplane and to increase the aerodynamic capabilities of the aircraft.

As a further refinement of the invention, a whistle device can be formed into the nose cone. The whistle device is configured such that travel of the aircraft through the air causes flow of air through the whistling device to cause a whistling sound.

As a further refinement, the container can be pre-formed to simulate the coloring or contour of a real life aircraft. The container, for example, can have a preformed cockpit dome or windows or can have the overall tapered shape of an aircraft.

As a further refinement, the container can be packaged for sale in a box or package that includes integrated aircraft components for attachment to one or more of the beverage containers. The airplane components can be, for example, punch-out portions of the box panels.

Alternately, the bottle could be a completely assembled, aerodynamically shaped glider that first functions as a beverage container and when empty functions as a toy glider.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a toy aircraft according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a right-side view of the aircraft of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary alternate right side view of the aircraft of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment nose cone section of the aircraft of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a sectional view taken generally along line 4A-4A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an alternate aircraft of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an aircraft of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a packaging arrangement of beverage containers, the packaging including airplane components

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment aircraft of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a right side view of the alternate embodiment aircraft of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of another alternate embodiment aircraft of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a right side view of the alternate embodiment aircraft of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the alternate embodiment aircraft of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

A toy aircraft, such as an airplane 30, of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The airplane 30 comprises a plastic beverage container 34 and add-on components. The add-on components include wings 38, 40 (40 shown in FIG. 2), an engine section 44, a vertical stabilizer 48, a cockpit section 52, and a nose cone 56. The cockpit section 52 and the engine section 44 are substantially decorative, particularly arranged to simulate actual aircraft components. The beverage container 34 is advantageously a soft drink plastic bottle having a cylindrical section 58, and an elongated tapered transition section 60 and a neck 61.

According to a preferred embodiment, the preferred dimensions of the cylindrical section 58 are is about 4 inches long and 2.75 inches in diameter. The preferred dimensions of the tapered section are 3.25 inches long and 2.75 inches in large diameter and 1 inch in small diameter. The plastic bottle can be a lightweight, thin walled commercially available bottle, such as that sold to package SUNKIST® soft drinks. This particular bottle has a volume of about 20 fl. oz. (592 ml), and weighs about 1.1 ounces empty without its cap. Other commercially available bottles could also work

The wings and vertical stabilizer of the first embodiment each have substantially the same shape, and have a dimension “a” of about 3.75 inches and a dimension “b” about 4.75 inches. The wings and vertical stabilizer are approximate right triangles with a curved hypotenuse.

The wings and vertical stabilizer can be composed of plastic, cardboard, wood, foam material, or any other material that is relatively strong and lightweight to be useful on a glider.

The add-on components are preferably shaped and sized to add to the aerodynamics of the airplane. The above dimensions for the wings and vertical stabilizer are for the first prototype and should not be considered to be optimized dimensions. Further testing may ascertain better dimensions.

The components can also be shaped and sized such that the airplane resembles any known, popular or historic aircraft. Thus, the components can be shaped for example, to resemble World War II airplanes, or the U.S. space shuttle, comic book hero aircraft, a U.S. stealth fighter jet, etc.

The nose cone 56 is shape to provide an aerodynamic profile. It preferably has inside threads that allow the nose cone to be screwed onto the neck 61 of the bottle 34. The cockpit 52 can include a clear plastic dome(s) mounted on a support plate that is mounted to the container.

The wings and vertical stabilizer can be mounted in a variety of ways. According to FIG. 1, the wings and vertical stabilizer are connected by folded adhesive tape elements 76, 78 adhered on opposite faces of the wings and vertical stabilizer, extending over the edges adjacent to the bottle 34. The tape elements 76, 78 can be applied to the wings and vertical stabilizer and cover paper can be removed from the adhesive tape elements to expose the adhesive to be pressed to the container. Alternately, the elements 76, 78 could be plastic pieces that are adhesively secured to the wings and vertical stabilizer and then adhesively secured to the container.

According to FIGS. 3, the wings and vertical stabilizer are mounted by being tightly fit between parallel ribs 82, 84 formed on an outside of the container, that form a groove 85 therebetween. Adhesive can be applied between the ribs 82, 84 to secure the component to the bottle, or the groove 85 can be sized for the component to be a snap fit therein.

Alternately, the wings and/or the vertical stabilizer could be pre-fastened to a sleeve that fits over the bottle 34 and is held in place by friction or adhesive.

Alternately, the wings and/or vertical stabilizer could be pre-attached at base ends to the bottle 34 and rolled tightly around the perimeter of the bottle and secured for shipping and sale wherein the customer can thereafter deploy the wings and/or vertical stabilizer by un-securing the wings or vertical stabilizer and unrolling same from the bottle. The rolled wings preferably have a material memory that allows them to be rolled out substantially straight or otherwise at an aerodynamic profile. The wings and/or vertical stabilizer can be secured with one or more rubber bands or one or more pieces of tape.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate nose cone 102 having a nose cone portion 106 having internal threads 108 screwed onto a container 34 (shown in phantom). A cockpit section 110 is unitary with the nose cone portion 106. The cockpit section 110 includes a clear dome 114 and a frustoconical skirt portion 112 which is sized to be slightly elevated from a top surface 113 of the container, forming a gap 115 on an end thereof. A whistle hole 16 through the skirt portion 112 is in communication with a space 118 between the skirt portion 112 and the top surface 113. During travel through the air, air passes through the whistle hole 16, through the space 118 and out of the gap 115 causing a whistling sound. The skirt portion can be contoured and/or elements, such as a reed element, can be added to the whistle hole 116 or space 118 to enhance or amplify the whistle sound.

Other known configurations for applying a toy projectile air whistle are encompassed by the invention.

The nose cones described herein can be composed of plastic, rubber, foam material, or other material.

FIG. 5 illustrates a further refinement of the invention wherein motive components can be quickly added to the aircraft described herein. A motive component 150 is connected to a threaded closure 154 which is threaded to the container 34. The motive component can fit inside the container, substantially out of sight. A propeller 152 is driven by a member 154 which penetrates the closure and is engaged to the motive component 150.

FIG. 6 illustrates the motive component 150 being a rubber band assembly. A rubber band 160 is connected to the member 154, extends to the end of a rigid support such as a cylinder 162, wherein it is connected at an end 166 of the support. Winding of the propeller repetitively twists the rubber band 160. Releasing the propeller allows the rubber band to spin the propeller to cause movement of the airplane in flight.

Alternately, the component 150 could be a motor and battery assembly or a fluid motor such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,006,517 or 4,329,806 herein incorporated by reference.

FIG. 7 illustrates a packaging arrangement wherein beverage containers 34 are packaged in a box 200 having cut out or punch out portions of the box serve as add-on components to complete the toy aircraft such as the wings 38, 40 and vertical stabilizer 48. A cone section 204 can be provided to be rolled into a cone and secured over the neck, in lieu of a screwed-on cone section. Alternately, parts to assemble the toy aircraft can be packaged separately within the box, or the box can provide punch out patterns from which component parts can be made from other raw materials.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment wherein the container 34′ itself is pre-contoured during manufacture thereof to resemble part of an aircraft, such as the fuselage a vintage or modern jet fighter, or other aircraft such as the space shuttle. In this regard the cock pit 52′ and the vertical stabilizer 48′ could be formed as part of the hollow container and hold beverage. The nose cone 106′ could be the actual beverage containing cap screwed onto the bottle neck 61′. Alternatively, the vertical stabilizer 48′ and/or the cockpit 52′ could be a separate panel or element attached as described herein for previous embodiments.

As also shown in FIGS. 8-12, the bottle 34′ can have an aerodynamic shaping wherein the diameter D2 at a rear of the bottle is less than a diameter D1 in a central region.

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate a variation to the embodiment described above, in that horizontal stabilizers 302, 304 are attached to a rear portion of the bottle using ribs 82, 84 as described above. Alternately, the horizontal stabilizers 302, 304 could be attached in alternate fashion or formed with the bottle, as described herein. The horizontal stabilizers 302, 304 can also be provided packaged with, or as part of the box as shown in FIG. 7.

As a further advantage, demonstrated in FIG. 12, advertising or other message labels 310 can be applied to the aircraft parts, such as to the wings 38, 40 and/or the stabilizers 302, 304, 48.

Alternatively to the above described embodiments, the bottle 34′ could be a completely assembled, aerodynamically shaped glider toy that first functions as a beverage container and when empty functions as a toy glider.

As further refinements of the invention, the bottles described above could be surface treated to allow the consumer to apply stickers or to paint the bottle to resemble real aircraft. As a further refinement of the invention, the bottles within a package, or within different packages, could be different collectible aircraft. As a further refinement of the invention, the aerodynamic components such as the nose cone, wings and/or vertical stabilizer could be sold at the beverage supply outlet on display next to the beverage display, or sold in hobby shops or retail stores.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims. 

1. A toy gliding aircraft, comprising: a beverage container; and a pair of wings attached to the beverage container.
 2. The toy gliding aircraft according to claim 1, further comprising a vertical stabilizer attached to the container and extending upward from a surface of said container.
 3. The toy gliding aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said container comprises a neck and further comprising a nose cone section having a tapered profile, attached to said neck to close said container.
 4. The toy gliding aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said container includes attachment formations on an outside thereof for mounting said wings.
 5. The toy gliding aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said container includes formations thereon simulating the fuselage of an aircraft.
 6. The toy gliding aircraft according to claim 1, comprising a closure for screw mounting to said neck, a propeller and a self-contained motive drive carried by said closure, and said propeller mounted rotatably to said closure, said motive drive connected to said container by being screwed onto said neck by threads formed on an inside of said closure and threads formed on an outside of said neck.
 7. The toy aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said motive drive comprises a support extending from said closure inside said container and a rubber band connected to said propeller and to an end of said support.
 8. The toy aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said container is pre-formed to include a radially extending stabilizer.
 9. The toy aircraft according to claim 1, wherein said container is pre-formed to include a radially extending cockpit section.
 10. The toy aircraft according to claim 1, further comprising a whistle component attached to said container.
 11. A toy kit comprising: a package comprising at least one wall; at least one beverage container contained by said package; and said wall having designated thereon at least one wing for attachment to said beverage container.
 12. The toy kit according to claim 11, wherein said at least one wall comprises at least two parallel walls, and each wall has designated thereon one wing for attachment to said beverage container.
 13. The toy kit according to claim 11, wherein said package contains at least four beverage containers.
 14. A method of assembling a toy gliding aircraft comprising the steps of: providing a beverage container filled with a beverage; consuming said beverage from said container; providing wing components attached to or attachable to said container; and deploying or attaching said wing components to extend from opposite sides of said container.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said step of providing a beverage container is further characterized in that the beverage container is contained within a package and wherein said step of providing wing components is further characterized in that said wing components are carried by said package.
 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein said step of providing wing components is further characterized in that said wing components are secured in rolled configuration onto said container and are deployed by un securing and unrolling said wing components.
 17. A toy gliding aircraft, comprising: a plastic bottle having a neck; and a cap closing said neck, said bottle aerodynamically shaped to first function as a beverage container and when empty function as a toy glider.
 18. The toy aircraft according to claim 17, comprising detachable wings.
 19. The toy aircraft according to claim 18, comprising a detachable vertical stabilizer.
 20. The toy aircraft according to claim 18, comprising detachable horizontal stabilizers. 